NOGO receptor binding protein

Abstract

The invention provides Sp35 polypeptides and fusion proteins thereof, Sp35 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof and nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also provides compositions comprising, and methods for making and using, such Sp35 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, Sp35 polypeptides and fusion proteins thereof.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of identifying an Sp35 antagonist capable of promoting neuronal cell survival comprising contacting a neuron with a compound and measuring neuronal cell survival, wherein increased neuronal survival compared to a control neuron indicates the compound is an Sp35 antagonist capable of promoting neuronal cell survival, and wherein the Sp35 antagonist binds to Sp35. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neuron is a rubro-spinal tract (RST) neuron. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neuron is a retinal ganglion cell. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Sp35 antagonist causes an increase in neuronal cell survival comparable to the increase that occurs in the presence of a soluble Sp35 polypeptide comprising amino acids 34-532 of SEQ ID NO:2.